St Helens Town 1 Glossop North End 2 AT this stage of the season when teams have little at stake, games tend to need some stimulus. But when a negative factor such as a gale force wind intervenes the outcome is to be endured rather than enjoyed.

Saturday's visit of Glossop was such an instance and although the players did their best, the wind was always going to be the master and depending upon how you defended against it, was the key to success.

Overall, Town played the better all-round football -as far as conditions would allow - but they have lost their potency with the absence of Pennington.

However, it was defensive blunders which gave the Hillmen a rare success at Hoghton Road.

Town faced the wind first and new boy Browne cleverly slipped his marker on the right but Glossop's Ringland just got in a clearance to deny Lowe at the far post. On 21 minutes Browne missed a gilt-edged chance when Hill's corner kick found him free but he was taken by surprise and sent his free header wide.

To date, Town had coped comfortably at the back but Glossop took a shock lead in the 23rd minute when a deflected clearance travelled down wind from the half way line to force a fortuitous corner. Glossop, however, made the most of it when bad marking allowed Kevin Parr a free header home without having to jump.

A minute later Town had a chance to level but Browne's first touch was poor from Bonner's good pass and keeper Piddington was able to advance and gather.

Then on 29 minutes came the crucial goal. With Town in controlled possession at the back, Ian Street allowed a pass to slip under his boot and Phil Hulme raced away to beat Allison and accept the 'gift'.

Even so the St Helens mood was that if they could pull one back before the break all was far from lost and they came very close on 34 minutes when O'Neil at full stretch, could only turn Walmesley's free kick into the side netting.

Close to the break Town's Street almost made it a double calamity when O'Connor anticipated the defender's back header but Allison rescued Town with a fine reflex save at point blank range.

After the break, with the wind in their favour, Bonner set the St Helens mood with a 30-yarder but Piddington saw it all the way but just as the early thrust was waning, Town got their breakthrough in the 68th minute when Ian Street rammed home his second spot kick in successive matches after Glossop's Row had handled.

Now in pursuit of the equaliser Hill thundered a 30-yarder into Piddingtons chest following a free kick but the spark up front was subdues and subs Walker and Matheson were doubly introduced for Browne and Bonner.

The switch almost paid off with Glossop surviving an amazing scramble as three times bodies on the line got in the way as Lowe's corner caused the melee which looked certain to bear fruit.

But is was not to be with the wind the prime performer on an uninspiring afternoon on which Glossop's O'Connor had the last word when firing wide on the break with Town throwing caution to the 'wind'.

This Saturday motivation should not be a problem as title contenders Newcastle Town come to Hoghton Road (3pm).

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